Searching for the perfect kindergarten book list to ignite your child’s love for reading?
On this list, you can discover a beautiful collection of classic books, fairy tales, and nursery rhymes that stand the test of time. From engaging stories to vivid illustrations, these living books are sure to spark curiosity and imagination in your little ones.
In kindergarten, literature plays a crucial role in sparking a love for reading and learning. With a Charlotte Mason education, children are introduced to “living books,” filled with exciting stories and beautiful illustrations, making the learning experience more engaging and enjoyable.
Want to learn how to create a gentle, literature-rich kindergarten year? Check out my Complete Charlotte Mason Kindergarten Guide for everything you need to know to get started.
If you are new to the Charlotte Mason method and want to learn all about what a living book is here is a guide with everything you need to know.
Plus, the emphasis on narration helps young learners develop language skills, critical thinking skills, and reading comprehension in a natural way.
There is no better way to teach kindergarten than with Charlotte Mason’s literature-based approach to early education.
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Charlotte Mason Kindergarten Book List
These book suggestions are all quality literature picture books and timeless classics that align perfectly with Charlotte Mason’s principles.
Rather than just presenting an extensive list of book titles, I’ve categorized them into separate book lists for various themes and different subjects, making it as easy as possible for you to incorporate them into your kindergarten curriculum.
Fairy Tales, Folk Tales, and Fables
“The Three Little Pigs” – Three pigs build houses of straw, sticks, and bricks to escape the big bad wolf’s huffing and puffing.
“Little Red Riding Hood” – Little Red Riding Hood encounters a cunning wolf on her way to her grandmother’s house.
“The Tortoise and the Hare” – A slow but steady tortoise challenges the boastful hare to a race, teaching a valuable lesson about perseverance.
“Goldilocks and the Three Bears” – Curious Goldilocks explores the home of three bears, leading to amusing encounters with their belongings.
“The Ugly Duckling”by Hans Christian Anderson– A homely duckling endures challenges before transforming into a graceful swan, teaching the value of self-acceptance.
“The Boy Who Cried Wolf” – A mischievous shepherd boy learns the importance of honesty when his false alarms lead to real danger.
“Beauty and the Beast” – A young woman’s kindness and love break a spell, transforming a beast back into a handsome prince.
“The Lion and the Mouse” – A tiny mouse shows kindness to a fierce lion, who later spares the mouse’s life, exemplifying the significance of compassion.
“Jack and the Beanstalk” – Jack trades a cow for magic beans, leading him to a giant’s castle in the clouds with a goose that lays golden eggs.
“Three Billy Goats Gruff”-Three billy goats attempt to cross a bridge guarded by a fearsome troll, using wit and teamwork to outsmart the troll and reach the lush pasture on the other side
“Little Red Hen”-A hardworking hen asks for help from her fellow farm animals in planting, harvesting, and baking bread, but they refuse. In the end, the hen enjoys the rewards of her labor while the other animals learn the importance of cooperation and teamwork.
Poetry and Nursery Rhymes
A collection of Robert Louis Stevenson poems– Robert Louis Stevenson’s poetry introduces enchanting verses and delightful imagery that capture the wonders of nature, animals, and childhood. Some of our favorite poems from Robert Louis Stevenson include The Swing, My Shadow, Bed in Summer, and Where Go The Boats?
“Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star” – A timeless nursery rhyme that celebrates the beauty of stars in the night sky.
“Humpty Dumpty” – Follow the amusing mishaps of Humpty Dumpty, an egg who falls off a wall.
“Mary Had a Little Lamb” – A sweet rhyme about Mary and her devoted little lamb, which follows her to school.
“Hickory Dickory Dock” – A playful rhyme about a mouse running up and down a clock.
“Baa, Baa, Black Sheep” – A charming nursery rhyme about a helpful black sheep and its wool.
“Jack and Jill” – Join Jack and Jill on their adventures up the hill to fetch a pail of water.
“Little Miss Muffet” – Little Miss Muffet’s encounter with a spider during her mealtime.
“Little Bo-Peep” – A nursery rhyme about Little Bo-Peep who lost her sheep and goes searching for them.
“Hey Diddle Diddle” – An imaginative rhyme about a cat playing a fiddle, a cow jumping over the moon, and a dish running away with a spoon.
“Mary, Mary, Quite Contrary” – A whimsical rhyme about Mary’s beautiful garden.
“The Farmer in the Dell” – A traditional song that tells the story of a farmer and the characters in his life.
“Owl Moon” by Jane Yolen – A great living book about a father and daughter sharing a magical experience while searching for owls in the winter night.
“Poky Little Puppy” by Janette Sebring Lowrey– A heartwarming children’s book that follows the adventures of a curious little puppy as he explores the world around him, learning valuable lessons along the way.
“Tale of Peter Rabbit” by Beatrix Potter– A mischievous young rabbit named Peter ventures into a forbidden garden, facing thrilling adventures and potential consequences.
“Little Bear” by Else Homeland Miniarik– A delightful and timeless classic, beautifully depicting the endearing bond between a sweet little bear his loving Mother Bear and Father Bear, and a world of imagination, and thrilling adventures with his friends Emily, Owl, Cat, Hen, and Duck.
“Velveteen Rabbit” by Margery Williams– A toy rabbit who longs to become real through the love and imagination of a young boy, exploring the transformative power of love and the meaning of true friendship.
Thornton Burgess’ various animal stories– By far the best living books around when it comes to fun stories that perfectly tie into a nature study. These adorable stories feature Peter Rabbit and all of his woodland friends and their many adventures. The whole collection of Thornton Burgess books offers valuable lessons about the natural world, friendship, and the importance of living in harmony with the environment.
“Shy Little Kitten” by Cathleen Schurr– A timid kitten’s adventures as she explores the world around her, discovering courage and friendship along the way.”Shy Little Kitten by Cathleen Schurr- A timid kitten’s adventures as she explores the world around her, discovering courage and friendship along the way.
“Little Princess” by Frances Hodgson Burnett– A young girl named Sara Crewe, faces challenges and adversities with grace and kindness while holding onto her imagination and kindness.
“Madeline” by Ludwig Bemelmans– Follow the brave little girl, Madeline, as she faces adventures in her French boarding school.
“Secret Garden” by Frances Hodgson Burnett– A young orphan, named Mary Lennox, discovers a hidden, neglected garden on her uncle’s estate and, with the help of a friend, brings it back to life, symbolizing healing and transformation for both the garden and its caretakers.
Little House on the Prairie series by Laura Ingalls Wilder– A beloved collection of books that chronicles Laura’s own childhood experiences as a pioneer girl and her family living on the American frontier. The series perfectly captures the hardships, joys, and adventures of pioneer life. This is by far my favorite collection of chapter books to read aloud to all of my children.
“Corduroy” by Don Freeman – A small bear named Corduroy sets out on a quest to find his missing button.
How to Use this Book List with Your Kindergartener
Here are some of the best ways to incorporate this list of books into your kindergarten curriculum:
Read-Aloud Time: Reading aloud is such an important aspect of the Charlotte Mason approach. Enjoy daily read-aloud sessions, bringing characters and stories to life.
Nature Walks and Observations: If you choose a nature story or animal story from the list, it is so much fun to take your little one on a nature walk to look for the topics you just read about. It helps to bring the book to life while exploring the real world around us.
Narration Practice: After reading a book, ask your child to tell you the story in their own words. This is such an important part of your child’s education. It is also a lot of fun because it helps your child get better at their communication skills, comprehension skills, and expressing their thoughts clearly. And what young child doesn’t like telling stories?
Art and Handicrafts: Do fun art and craft activities related to the stories. Not only does this allow your child some extra time for creativity it also helps to develop fine motor skills.
Encouraging Independent Reading: While your child may not be ready to read just yet, I love to encourage my children to look at the pictures and retell the story or even make up their own. It is also really fun to have your younger children tell these stories to their younger or older siblings, if possible. Think of it as quiet growing time.
Keep It Easy and Relaxed: This is my favorite tip (and the one that is most often forgotten)! Our learning journey isn’t about rushing through things. It is about taking our time, enjoying every moment, and allowing our children to soak up all the interesting things they are learning.
Observing Your Child’s Interests: If your child seems really interested in a specific topic, see if you can find more living books or information about the topic.
Cultivating a Love for Learning: Above everything else, it is your job to help your children fall in love with learning and exploring. We’re on a mission to keep curiosity alive and make reading something that your child will love for the rest of their lives!
These beautiful books are sure to become your kindergartener’s favorite books and are the perfect book choices for a Charlotte Mason homeschooler.
If you are looking for even more living book lists, check out my page full of living book recommendations for your homeschool here!
I'm Karen, a homeschooling mom and a lifelong learner who is a passionate advocate of Charlotte Mason's timeless educational philosophy. I have been homeschooling for over a decade, using Charlotte’s methods of living books, nature study, copywork, dictation, and narration. I've found that Charlotte Mason's holistic approach to education resonates deeply with my values and goals as an educator and parent. Through my blog, I aim to inspire and support my fellow homeschoolers as we explore the beauty and wonder of a living education that nurtures the mind, heart, and soul.
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